Israel and the Palestinian Authority decided to form a joint team to address specific environmental issues affecting the region and promote cooperation in the matter, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said Thursday.

"The Palestinians breath the air pollution produced in Israel and their untreated sewage flows in the rivers of our country, and only through collaboration and cooperation can we succeed to reach achievement for the good of both nations," said Environment Minister Amir Peretz during a meeting in Tel Aviv with a delegation from the Palestinian Environmental Authority.